Design Capsule

Ownership: Penn State is one of four state-related universities in the country, meaning it is not owned and operated by the state government. Rather it was incorporated in 1855 as a private entity, but the school's board of trustees included representatives of state government, including the governor. In 1863 the state legislature named Penn State the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania's sole land-grant institution, a designation that gave the university a broad mission of teaching, research and public service. The legislature only occasionally granted funds to Penn State during the early years but since 1887 has made appropriations on a regular basis.

Enrollment: 44,000 graduate and undergraduate students (at the University Park campus)

Total Annual Foodservice Purchases: $38 million

Total Annual Revenue: $111 million

Students on Board Plans: 14,258

Residence Hall Population: 13,841

Pollock Commons Renovation Opened: August 19, 2011

Size: 35,000 square feet, including 10,000 square feet in the back of house

Seats: 890 throughout the facility

Average Check: $4.35, though this is an all-you-care-to-eat (AYCTE) operation